Jonathan Demme’s psychological horror thriller “The Silence of the Lambs” is one of the most chilling movies ever made.
Based on Thomas Harris’ 1988 novel of the same name, it follows a young FBI trainee try to catch a serial killer who skins his female victims. To do so, she seeks the advice of an imprisoned cannibalistic serial murderer who also happens to be a brilliant psychiatrist.
It stars Jodie Foster as Clarice Starling, the FBI trainee, and Sir Anthony Hopkins as Dr. Hannibal Lecter, the imprisoned murderous psychiatrist. A talented ensemble cast provides able support.
“The Silence of the Lambs” did what many believed was impossible for a horror movie by winning the Big Five Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Director (Demme), Best Actor (Hopkins), Best Actress (Foster), and Best Adapted Screenplay (Ted Tally). Impressively, Hopkins won his award despite only having around 16 minutes of screen time.
It was released in the United States on Valentine’s Day, 1991, meaning it’s close to celebrating its 35th anniversary. With that in mind, wouldn’t it be cool to see the cast now compared to how they were when “The Silence of the Lambs” hit theaters? Let’s do that right now…
Jodie Foster (Clarice Starling)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Jodie Foster in “The Silence of the Lambs.”
Academy Award-winning actress Jodie Foster played Clarice Starling in “The Silence of the Lambs.” Clarice is the young and determined FBI trainee, and the movie’s protagonist, who is tasked with interviewing Hannibal Lecter to catch the killer “Buffalo Bill.”
Age when “The Silence of the Lambs” released: 28.
Selected movie credits before “The Silence of the Lambs”: Taxi Driver (1976), Freaky Friday (1976), The Accused (1988).
GettyAge now: 63.
Selected movie credits after “The Silence of the Lambs”: Panic Room (2002), Flightplan (2005), Elysium (2013).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Sir Anthony Hopkins (Dr. Hannibal Lecter)
Above is a social media post with several pictures of Sir Anthony Hopkins in “The Silence of the Lambs.”
Academy Award-winning Welsh actor Sir Anthony Hopkins played Dr. Hannibal Lecter in “The Silence of the Lambs.” Lecter is a brilliant, manipulative, and terrifying incarcerated psychiatrist and cannibalistic serial killer who provides cryptic clues to help Clarice find Buffalo Bill in exchange for personal insights.
Age when “The Silence of the Lambs” released: 53.
Selected movie credits before “The Silence of the Lambs”: A Bridge Too Far (1977), The Elephant Man (1980), 84 Charing Cross Road (1987).
GettyAge now: 88.
Selected movie credits after “The Silence of the Lambs”: The Remains of the Day (1993), Amistad (1997), The Father (2020).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Ted Levine (Jame “Buffalo Bill” Gumb)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Ted Levine in “The Silence of the Lambs.”
Film and television actor Ted Levine played Jame Gumb in “The Silence of the Lambs.” Gumb is the primary antagonist serial killer of the movie who abducts and skins women to create a “woman suit.” Known as “Buffalo Bill” in the media, Dr. Hannibal Lecter assists Clarice Starling in finding him.
Age when “The Silence of the Lambs” released: 33.
Selected movie credits before “The Silence of the Lambs”: Ironweed (1987), Next of Kin (1989), Love at Large (1991).
Above is a social media post with a picture of Ted Levine in a 2021 episode of “Big Sky.”
Age now: 68.
Selected movie credits after “The Silence of the Lambs”: Heat (1995), The Manchurian Candidate (2004), The Hills Have Eyes (2006).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Scott Glenn (Jack Crawford)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Scott Glenn (L) with Jodie Foster in “The Silence of the Lambs.”
Stage and screen actor Scott Glenn played Jack Crawford in “The Silence of the Lambs.” Jack is the head of the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit, and Clarice’s mentor who assigns her to interview Hannibal Lecter.
Age when “The Silence of the Lambs” released: 52.
Selected movie credits before “The Silence of the Lambs”: Urban Cowboy (1980), Silverado (1985), The Hunt for Red October (1990).
GettyAge now: 87.
Selected movie credits after “The Silence of the Lambs”: Backdraft (1991), Training Day (2001), Secretariat (2010).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Anthony Heald (Dr. Frederick Chilton)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Anthony Heald (top right) in “The Silence of the Lambs.”
Character actor Anthony Heald played Dr. Frederick Chilton in “The Silence of the Lambs.” Dr. Chilton is the arrogant and opportunistic administrator of the Baltimore State Hospital for the Criminally Insane where Hannibal Lecter is held.
Age when “The Silence of the Lambs” released: 46.
Selected movie credits before “The Silence of the Lambs”: Teachers (1994), Outrageous Fortune (1987), Postcards from the Edge (1990).
GettyAge now: 81.
Selected movie credits after “The Silence of the Lambs”: The Pelican Brief (1993), 8mm (1999), X-Men: The Last Stand (2006).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Brooke Smith (Catherine Martin)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Brooke Smith (L) with Ted Levine on the set of “The Silence of the Lambs.”
Actress, photographer, and author Brooke Smith played Catherine Martin in “The Silence of the Lambs.” Catherine is the senator’s daughter kidnapped by Buffalo Bill, whose rescue becomes a major focal point of the movie.
Age when “The Silence of the Lambs” released: 23.
Selected movie credits before “The Silence of the Lambs”: The Moderns (1988), See You in the Morning (1989).
Above is a 2025 social media post with a recent picture of Brooke Smith (R).
Age now: 58.
Selected movie credits after “The Silence of the Lambs”: In Her Shoes (2005), Interstellar (2014), Bombshell (2019).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Diane Baker (Senator Ruth Martin)
GettyActress, producer, and educator Diane Baker played Senator Ruth Martin in “The Silence of the Lambs.” Martin is the kidnapped Catherine Martin’s mother, and a U.S. senator who pressures the investigation into her abduction.
Age when “The Silence of the Lambs” released: 52.
Selected movie credits before “The Silence of the Lambs”: The Diary of Anne Frank (1959), The Prize (1963), Marnie (1964).
GettyAge now: 87.
Selected movie credits after “The Silence of the Lambs”: Courage Under Fire (1996), Murder at 1600 (1997), Harrison’s Flowers (2001).
Filmography info per IMDb.
Kasi Lemmons (Ardelia Mapp)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Kasi Lemmons (R) with Jodie Foster in “The Silence of the Lambs.”
Actress, director, and screenwriter Kasi Lemmons played Ardelia Mapp in “The Silence of the Lambs.” Ardelia is Clarice Starling’s supportive friend and fellow trainee at the FBI Academy.
Age when “The Silence of the Lambs” released: 31.
Selected movie credits before “The Silence of the Lambs”: School Daze (1988), Vampire’s Kiss (1988), A Man Called Hawk (1989).
GettyAge now: 66.
Selected movie credits after “The Silence of the Lambs”: Candyman (1992), Hard Target (1993), Disconnect (2012).
Filmography info per IMDb.
It’s great to see the core cast of “The Silence of the Lambs” doing so well.
The movie launched a franchise that now includes the 2001 sequel “Hannibal,” the 2002 and 2007 prequels “Red Dragon” and “Hannibal Rising,” and two television adaptations.
It remains one of the finest films of its type ever made.
